Spring-wheel.



H. VILLIERS-STUART. SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.8I 1909.

Patented May 7, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. VILLIERS-STUART.

SPRING WHEEL.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T.8, 19 09.

1,025,343. v Patented May 7, 1912.

4 BHBETSSHEET 2.

l/vi Human COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH (IO-.WASHINGTON. u. c.

H. VILLIERS-STUA RT. SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 0018, 1909.

1,025,343.. Patented May 7, 1912.-

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I mm I Witnuoeo COLUMBIA PLANOORAPHJJO" WASHINGTON. n. c.

H. VILLIERS-STUART.

SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 0018', 1909.

1,025,343. Patented May 7, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.,WASIHNGTON, r). c

UNITEI) STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

HORACE VILLIERS-STUABT, O'IE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

SPRING-WHEEL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE VILLIERS- STUART, of Louisville, in thecounty of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invents ed certain newand useful Improvements in SpringlVheels; and I hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of thisspecification.

This invention is a novel improvement in wheels in which the hub iscentered and supported on the rim by springs in such manner that the rimand hub are capable of yielding relative radial displacement in aresilient manner so as to cushion the shocks of impact during travel ofthe vehicle over rough ground, such wheel being designed to do away withthe use of or need for pneumatic or cushion tires.

The object of the present invention is to provide a wheel of thischaracter in which the hub will be floated or yieldingly sup ported onthe rim by springs of novel design and construction and which areadapted to safely yield a distance in excess of that hitherto obtainedin spring-wheel construction; which will have an ample margin of safetyagainst fracture greatly in excess of the actual engineeringrequirements in which there are no hinge oints or pivots to wear andrattle; in which the parts are readily detachable and replaceable, sothat any worn or broken parts may be easily replaced or repaired; whichwill not be rendered incapable of use should a few springs therein bebroken; in which the wheel tire will remain close to the ground even athigh speed and on rough streets without excessive vibration in the axle.

The invention consists in the novel construction of wheel; and also inthe novel construction of the leaf springs connecting the rim to thehub; and in means whereby the leaves of each spring may be caused tocome into action successively; and in means for absorbing rebound of thesprings.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the present preferredembodiment of the invention in a vehicle wheel which in generalappearance resembles a standard artillery wheel; and I will now explainthe invention in detail with reference to said drawings and summarize inthe claims the novel features and combinations Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed October 8, 1909.

Patented May 7, 1912.

Serial No. 521,767.

thereof embodied in the invention and for which protection is desired.

Figure l is a side elevation of one-half of a wheel partly broken away.Fig. 2 is a central vertical transverse section of one of the springs, aportion of the hub and felly partly in side elevation. Fig. 3 is anenlarged sectional View on line 33, Fig. 1. Fig. at is an expanded planview of the inside of one of the springs. Fig. 5 is a detail sectionalView on line 55, of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a similar view on line 66, Fig. 2.Fig. 7 is a side view of a modified form of spring. Fig. 8 is a detailsectional view on line 88, of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a similar view on line99, of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a detail side view partly in section of amodified form of hub and spoke; and Fig. 11 is a similar view of amodified manner of fastening spring to spoke. Fig. 1.2 is a detail planview showing another means of fastening the springs to the rim. Fig. 13is an enlarged sectional view on line 13-13, Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is adetail side view of an obvious modified arrangement of the reinforcingsprings. Fig. 15 is a detail side view of another such arrangement.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the hub of the wheel consists of anannular shell 1, preferably of malleable iron, from which radiate shortspokes l said parts being preferably formed in a single casting. Theshell 1 is bolted between two end plates 1*, 1, and form therewith thecomplete hub. The plates 1", 1, being adapted to fit on the axle (notshown) to which the wheel is to be attached; and said plates may containthe ball races (indicated at 1*) as commonly used in the bearings ofsuch wheels. When a wheel of this design is ordered to replace a wornwheel or standard artillery wheel it is not necessary that the hubplates 1, 1, be supplied with the new wheel, but only the casting 1, 1which can be readily secured between the plates 1, 1, of the old wheelby means of bolts 1 The makers of automobiles generally use a standardconstruction of hub and ball races, and by making the hub of my wheel insections, as shown, the owner of such wheel can procure new wheels forhis vehicle with less expense; and the manufacturers of this patent canbuy hub sections like 1, 1', on the market.

The spokes 1 are connected to the rim by novel springs which areconstructed as follows: Each spring is preferably approximately U-shapedin contour, and has its cen" tral portion attached to the felly 6, andits extremities attached. to the ends of adjacent spokes 1. The springhowever has an out-- wardly curved bend at each side, as inclicated at2, about in line with the spokes, and which bends T term the heels ofthe spring. These heels have special function hereinafter explained.Each spring is pref-- erably composed of a plurality of thinsteel leavesor plates 2, which extend throughout the length of the spring, and areattached at their ends to the spoke sections 1. The leaves 2 are so bentat the heel portions 2 of the spring that they stand somewhat apart atsuch points as indicated clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In otherwords at the heels of the spring each individual leaf 2 is slightlyseparated from the adjacentleaves of the spring, but they come closetogether at each side of the heels, and are rigidly united at thecentral portion of the spring, where they are secured to the felly, andare also rigidly inserted at their ends where they are attached to thespokes. The springs are secured to the felly 6 by means of bolts 3 andplates 3 so to clamp the leaves 2 securely together at this point. Theleaves 2 are preferably reinforced at their central portions by means ofa set of thicker but shorter leaves 2 placed above and below the leaves2. The longest leaves 2 extend to the beginning of the heel portions 2of the spring. Preferably I place above and below the leaves 2. andbetween them and the leaves 2 extra leaf springs 2 which extend to aboutthe centers of the heel portions of the leaves 2. At and near theextremities of the leaves 2 I place spring clamps 3; as shown theseclamps are composed of U- shaped clips havingthreaded ends transfixingcross spring plates 3 and secured by locking and jam nuts 3 The springplates 3 are preferably curved outwardly so to cause the clips toyieldingly draw the ends of the leaves 2 together and cause them to drawthe heel portions of the leaves 2 more or less closely together,according to the adjustment of the spring clamps 3.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 2 that as stated the leaves 2are normally separated and stand apart in the heel portions 2 thedistance apart at which these leaves 2 stand in this heel portion beingcontrolled by clamps 8 and by clamps 3* which latter are each composedof a ll-shaped clip 3" having its threaded ends upturned and embracingthe sides of the springs and transfixing the ends of a curvedspring-plate 3, the clips being secured to the spring plate by fasteningand locking nuts 3. The tension of the spring clamps is regulated byadjusting the nuts. The spring clamps 3, 3", regulate the pressure ofthe springs 2 against the leaves 2, and the clips engaging side notches2 in the leaves of the spring keep the latter in alinement. Bytightening the nuts on the clamps 3 and 3 any desired friction betweenthe leaves may be obtained. The spring clamps permit the leaves of thespring to come into play successively thus absorbing shock gradually;they also cause friction between the several leaves, which frictionhelps to absorb shock and prevents excessive rebounding; they also holdthe leaves more or less together, and thus cause them to eventuallyreinforce each other and. amplify the strength of the spring. Thus thegreater the pressure on the axle the greater will be the resistance ofthe spring; in other words the resistance of the spring increasesproportionately with the pressure thereon.

The heel parts of the spring perform, the function of a pivot but as theleaves are separated at the heel portions excessive friction. at suchpoint. which would be quite undesirable, is avoided. The spokes Tl arepreferably notched on their sides as at- 1 and the ends of the leaves 2have similar notches 2" in their sides; after the notched ends of theleaves 2 are brought into register with the notched ends of the spokes,clamping plates 4 are placed on opposite sides of the spoke and leaves,(see Figs. 2, 6,) and are secured by througlrbolts 4" transfixing theleaves, springs and clamp plates. The plates 4-. are provided with sideflanges 4 which engage the notches 2 1 of the leaves and spoke, and formkeys or looks to prevent the leaves pulling longitudinally away from thespoke. In other words the clamps 4 key the leaves to the spoke and thebolts 4t merely have to hold the clamps in position and are notsubjected to the shearing strain of holding the leaves. In this way nomotion permitted between the spring leaves and spokes at their junction.All that is necessary in order to detach the leaves from the spokesections is to remove the plates 4P; and a spring can be removed bydetaching its ends from the spokes and removing the bolts which fastenthe center of the springs to the folly.

The spring leaves 2 are preferably made so thin that they can beseverely bent a great number of times without injury, but they actuallyhave to be bent very little. The main spring effect is produced in thelong part of the spring between the heels and the central bolts. Theheel portions act like a hinge pivot, to permit the necessary playbetween the hub and rim, in the plane of the wheel. By having the leaves2 separated at the heel portions friction and bind ing is avoidedtherebetween at such points and consequently wear at these points whichwould ordinarily be the most vulnerable or weakest parts of the wheel,is avoided; and these heel portions take up and compensate for thelongitudinal sliding action of the spring leaves when the wheel is inuse.

By having the leaves 2 and 2 arranged to come successively andfrictionally into action the bouncing effect of a solid tire is avoided,and the yielding action of a cushion tire is realized. The pressure onthe hub is transmitted through the spoke sections to the springs, andtends to close the heels of the spring leaves; this pressure is firsttrans mitted through the leaves 2 to the spring leaves 2 next the fellycausing them to bend slightly one over the other, and the spring leaves2 lying between the leaves 2, 2 are subjected to the same action. Thisweight tends to separate the outer leaves from the inner leaves, butthis separation is more or less prevented by the spring clamps 3* whichwhile they yield to some extent (so that apparently all the leaves bendtogether toward the felly) as a matter of fact cause the inner springsto come into action successively, according to the extent of tension ofthe clamps. This clamping pressure produces friction between all theleaves of the spring and prevents excessive speedy rebound. The pressureon the hub is transmitted by suspension to the overlying springs, andthe action of leaves in such springs is practically reversed, the innerleaves being first tensioned and the outermost springs coming intoaction successively by reason of the clamps 3, 3*. hen the spokesections are parallel with the axle the heels of the springs yield withlittle or no pressure thus preventing any tendency to break the spokesfrom the hub, and this is the important practical result of the novelconstruction of my springs.

It will be noted by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that the ends of theleaves 2 preferably project beyond the clamps 1 toward the hub and fordifferent lengths, and thus lessen the liability of fracturing the spokeat any particular point. Preferably, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, theleaves 2 are separated at their ends into two groups, the groups beingapplied to opposite sides of the interposed spoke. The supporting orreinforcing leaves 2 are also preferably made of different lengths toavoid presenting any sharp corners or unyielding points to the movingportions of the leaves 2. The ends of the leaves 2 are also preferablyrounded and tapered as shown to prevent any excessive line of pressureupon the leaves 2. This novel spring has a larger radius of action; aminimum liability to fracture; a maximum power to absorb shock, with amimimum of rebound; is capable of action in all directions in the planeof the wheel, without undue strain at any point, and can easily bereplaced or repaired.

Instead of making the hub section 1 and spokes 1 integral, the spokesmight be formed separately, and each spoke have a segmental hub section1 on its upper end, see Fig. 10, which sections 1 can be fitted togetherand secured to and between the hub plates 1, 1 by bolts, see Fig. 10.This construction has the advantage that any spoke can be readilyreplaced if broken without necessitating an entirely new set of spokes.

Instead of making the springs U-shaped and connecting the ends thereofto adjacent spokes 1 the U-shaped springs may be approximately cut inhalf, and each of such half springs is attached to an individual spokeas indicated in Fig. 7. The construction and operation of these halfsprings is substantially the same as the springs shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It would of course be possible to have all the leaves 2 of each springattached to one side of the spoke 1 as in Fig. 11, instead of onopposite sides thereof, as in Figs. 2 and 3. l/Vhen so applied to butone side of the spoke only one clamp 4 would be necessary. The felly 6of the wheel may be of metal U-shaped in cross section, as indicated inFig. 3, and outside of this may be placed a standard steel rim 6 boltedto the felly and a solid rubber tire 6 may be placed on this rim. Thesprings may be protected by an annular casing 7, as indicated in Figs. 1and 3. Or the springs may be housed or covered in any other desiredmanner to exclude the dust.

As shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 15, instead of attaching the springs to therim by through-bolts 3 they are secured thereto by means of a metalplate 13 which is placed over the springs, at center thereof, and isfastened to the rim 6 by means of bolts 13 secured by nuts 13 said boltspassing beside the springs and not through them. The springs aretransfixed centrally by a small bolt 13 the head and nut of which areconcealed in holes in plates 13 preferably of wood. The bolt 13 preventsrelative longitudinal motion of the leaves but does notweaken them asmuch as bolts 3 would do. The wood plates B are somewhat resilient andthe springs are less likely to snap at their bearings thereon. F ig. 14shows how the reinforcing springs 2 may be tapered on their ends; alsothat the lower set of springs 2 2 and clamps 3 may be omitted. Fig. 15also shows a construction in which the lower reinforcing springs 2 and 2and clamps 3 are omitted. The invention is not restricted to theparticular number of spring clamps 3 shown; springs 2 can be used oneither or both sides of springs 2; and also the springs 2 could be usedon either or both sides of the springs 2. At the point of connectionbetween the springs and spokes short reinand the reinforcing forcingsprings t may be applied to the outer sides of the spring leaves 2 asshown in Figs, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10, to prevent undue breaking strain uponthe leaves 2 against the outer edges of the clamps 4t.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent thereon is:

1. In a wheel the combination of a hub and felly, a multiple of leafsprings having their inner ends fast to the hub, and their outerportions fast to the folly and having intern'iediate curved heelportions; with spring leaves intermediate the heel portions shorter thanand on opposite sides of the first leaves and reinforcing the latter.

2. A wheel comprising a hub, spokes, felly, and springs composed of amultiple of leaves having their inner ends fast to the spokes, and theirouter portions fast to the felly and having intermediate bent heelportions, the leaves being normally spaced apart in such heel portion;with reinforcing leaves shorter than the first leaves and attachedthereto intermediate the heel portion.

8. In a wheel the combination of a hub, a felly, and springs eachcomposed of a series of leaves having an intermediate curved heelportion, the leaves being separated or spaced apart in the heel portion;with shorter reinforcing springs on the opposite sides of the leaves andextending from the folly to the heel portion.

a. In a wheel the combination of a hub, felly, and springs interposedbetween and connected with the felly and hub, each spring comprising aplurality of leaves and having an intermediate bent heel portion; withyieldable clamps binding the leaves yieldably together.

A wheel comprising a hub, spokes, telly, and springs composed of amultiple of leaves having their inner ends fast to the spokes, and theirouter portions fast to the folly and having intermediate bent heelportions, the leaves being normally spaced apart in such heel portion;with yieldable clamps for binding the leaves yieldably together.

6. In a wheel the combination of a hub, a folly, and springs eachcomposed of a series of leaves having an intermediate curved heelportion, the leaves being separated or spaced apart in the heel portion;with rein forcing springs beside the leaves and yieldable clampsengaging the ends of the reinforcing springs.

7. In a wheel the combination of a hub, felly, and springs interposedbetween and connected with the felly and hub, each spring comprising aplurality of leaves and having an intermediate bent heel portion; withreinforcing spring leaves on opposite sides of the first leaves, andyieldable clamps for binding the leaves yieldably together.

8. In a wheel the combination of a hub, a folly, and springs eachcomposed of a series of leaves having an intermediate curved heelportion, the leaves being separated or spaced apart in the heel portion;with reinforcing springs on the opposite sides of the leaves extendingfrom the felly to the heel portion, and clamps surrounding the leavesand the reinforcing springs.

9. In a wheel the combination of hub, spokes, felly, and springs, eachspring composed of a series of leaves fastened at their outer sides tothe folly and at their inner ends to the spokes and having an intermediate curved heel portion, the leaves being spaced apart in the heelportion; with reinforcing springs on the opposite sides of the leavesextending from the felly to the heel portion, and clamps engaging theends of the reinforcing springs.

10. In. a wheel, the combination of a hub, folly, and springs, eachspring composed of a series of leaves fastened at their outer sides tothe felly and at their inner ends to the hub, and having an intermediatecurved heel portion; with reinforcing leaves on the opposite sides ofthe spring extending from the felly to the heel portion, clamps engagingthe ends of the reinforcing leaves, supplemental leaves shorter than thereinforcing leaves extending from the point of attachment to the fellytoward the heel, and clamps connecting the leaves wh reby they arecaused to come into operation succes sively.

11. In a wheel. the combination of hub, spokes, felly, and springs, eachspring composed of a series of leaves fastened at their outer sides tothe folly and at their inner ends to the spokes and having anintermediate curved heel portion, the leaves being separated in the heelportion; with reinforcing leaves on the opposite sides of the springsextending from the folly to the heel. portion, clamps engaging the endsof the reinforcing leaves, supplemental leaves shorter than thereinforcing leaves arranged on opposite sides of the spring andextending from the point of attachment to the felly toward the heel, andclamps connecting all the leaves whereby they are caused to come intooperation successively.

12. In a wheel the combination of hub, spokes and felly, andapproximately U- shaped springs each composed of a multiple of leavesattached centrally to the folly and at their opposite ends to adjacentspokes, and having bent heel portions adjacent the spokes, reinforcingleaves attached to the springs intermediate the heel portions, andclamps yieldably binding all the leaves together, and adapted to causethem to come successively into operation.

13. In a wheel the combination of hub, spokes, felly, and a series ofapproximately U-shaped springs each composed of a multi ple of leavesattached centrally to the telly and at their opposite ends to adjacentspokes,

said springs having bentheel portions adjacent the spokes the leavesbeing separated in said heel portions; with reinforcing leaves attachedto the springs on opposite sides thereof intermediate the heel portions,and yieldable clamps binding all the leaves together.

l t. In a wheel, the combination of a hub, spokes, telly, and a seriesof U -shaped springs each comprising a series of parallel leavesattached centrally to the telly and at their opposite ends to adjacentspokes and having heel bends adjacent the spokes; reinforcing leavesextending between the heel portions, clamps yieldably binding the leavestogether adjacent the heel portions, and additional reinforcing leavesat the central portion ot the spring, and clamps yieldably uniting thesaid leaves to the spring whereby they are caused to .come into actionsuccessively, substantially as described.

15. In a wheel, the combination of a hub, spokes, telly, and a series ofU -shaped springs each comprising a series of parallel leaves attachedcentrally to the telly and at their opposite ends to adjacent spokes andhaving heel bends adjacent the spokes, the leaves being separated in theheel bends; with reintorcing leaves extending between the heel portions,clamps yieldably binding the leaves together adjacent the heel portions,additional reinforcing leaves, at the central portion of the spring, andclamps yieldably uniting all the said leaves, substantially asdescribed.

16. In a wheel, the combination ot a spoke having notches in its sideedges, with a spring having notches in its end adapted to register withthe registered notches in the spoke, and a clampplate engaging thenotches in the spoke and spring to lock them against relative endwisemovement.

17. In a wheel, the combination of a hub, spokes, and telly, said spokeshaving notches in their sides, with springs attached to the telly, andhaving notches in their ends adapted to register wit-h the notches inthe spokes; clamp plates engaging the notches in the spokes and springsto lock them against relative endwise movement, and bolts transfixingand securing the clamp plates to the spokes.

18. In a wheel the combination of a hub, a telly, and springs interposedbetween the telly and hub, each spring comprising a plurality of leaveshaving a reversely bent heel portion, the leaves being connected closelytogether at the telly and hub connections but being spaced apart in saidheel portion.

19. In a Wheel the combination of a hub, and telly; with approximatelyU-shaped springs each composed of a multiple of leaves attachedcentrally to the telly and at their opposite ends to the hub, and havingreverse bends or heel portions intermediate the hub and telly, theleaves being connected closely together at their ends and at center, butspaced apart in the heel portions.

20. In a wheel the combination ot a hub, a telly, and springs interposedbetween the telly and hub, each spring comprising a plurality of leavestast to the rim and the hub and having an intermediate bent heelportion, the leaves being closely connected together at the hub andtelly but spaced apart in said heel portion; and means for limiting theseparation of the leaves in the heel port-ion during the compression ofthe spring.

21. In a wheel the combination of a hub, spokes, and telly; with springseach composed of a plurality of leaves having an intermediate reverselycurved heel portion having its inner end detachably tastened to a spoke,and its outer portion tastened to the telly, said leaves being spacedapart in the heel portion, and short springs attached to the spokes overthe ends of the leaves and reinforcing the latter at their junction withthe spokes, substantially as described.

22. In a wheel the combination of a hub, spokes, and telly; with springseach composed ot a plurality of Ushaped leaves having intermediatereversely curved heel portions having their inner ends detachablytastened to adjoining spokes, and their outer portions tastened to thetelly, said leaves being spaced apart in the heel portions, and shortsprings attached to the spokes over the ends of the leaves andreinforcing the latter at their junction with the spokes, substantiallyas described.

In testimony that I claim the toregoing as my own, I afiix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

HORACE VILLIERS-STUART.

Witnesses:

ORMSBY DE BUT'rs GRAY, J r., OCTAVE Rassnvma, J r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

